Free the sound is in our DNA. We wanted to liberate the sound of cities around the world, so brought together some of the best voices in Europe. Talent who deserve a platform to be heard. A way for them to show their skills and reach a wider audience in an authentic and honest way. A way for them to free their sound. Meet our first Free the Sound artists below. Each one has recorded a track, just for Libratone, which you can also hear below.
Germany and Netherlands
Daïm and Donata are world travelers, which is where their approach to music comes from. Daïm grew up in Istanbul and Holland and travelled Africa as a kid. Donata lived in Argentina, which is where the name Nosoyo was born. The belief that you should always experience the power of music at its purest defines their unique sound. They love to experiment with different techniques, although "sometimes there is nothing better than just going back to basics - vocals, drums, guitar."
Canada
Acoustic folk pop singer, Adam is inspired by his love of travelling, own life experiences and current affairs. “I love the sensation of playing to a room full of people who are having a good time.” To Adam, free the sound as an artist means trying new things, not being confined to a genre, playing different events, or just getting out there and playing to whoever wants to listen.
America
Temple Haze grew up with a gospel singing mother, and a home full of vinyl. It is therefore little surprise he developed a love of music from a young age - writing his first song by the age of seven. “I call my music Indie Soul, it has many elements. I’ve been on a path to be as honest as possible with my music - to be vulnerable, to be myself.”
Germany
24-year-old Novine has loved music from an early age inspired by her dad’s own passion for sound, his vast vinyl collection, and her Jamaican roots. She describes her music as very chill, smooth and light. It’s a mix of RnB, Neo-Soul and Pop inspired by her life experiences. In freeing her sound, Novine sees the possibility to express her emotions through creativity and music. It's about telling her story and touching others through sound.
Wales, UK
22-year-old Sophie's love for music began growing up in Wales. She bought her first guitar at 15, and started playing and writing straight away. She describes her sound as poppy, gentle and folky, sometimes jazzy, and usually playful in delivery. She feels inspired and motivated when she allows herself to be non-judgemental and open-minded in the process: "It's a really great feeling to create for yourself an environment where creativity is openly invited into your space without judgement."
Israel
J. Lamotta has studied music, from a young age. Whilst at heart still a ‘jazz cat’, in recent years her love of iconic artists like Marvin Gaye and Al Greene has led her to a more soulful sound. For J. Lamotta, free the sound means being yourself and ‘being now’. J. Lamotta’s new album Suzume, launches in February 2019, including the song ‘Back in town’ which you can hear below.
Australia
Fuelled by his parents' vinyl collection, Michael Brinkworth's formative musical explorations started as an electric-guitar-obsessed teenager. His twenties saw him solidifying his path, picking up an acoustic guitar, harmonicas and absorbing all he could from singer-songwriter greats whilst hitch-hiking, busking and playing gigs around the world. For Michael, freeing the sound means "staying true to that initial joy I found in music, when I learned to trust my own voice." 'Good Old Feeling' will feature on his soon-to-be-released second album.
America
Stephon was songwriting at nine, formed his own band at 14 and has not stopped since! A self-defined wanderer, Stephon also says his music flows between genres, “I enjoy playing rock music because it's very freeing, hip-hop because it's a constant test of my lyrical ability; folk music is fun because I get to tell a story.” For Stephon free the sound means, “freedom to create; freedom from expectations…and being honest in my writing.”
Sweden
Moa remembers trying to sing as one of her earliest memories. “The aim in my lyrics is to be as raw as possible. The combination of jazz, soul and other genres I’m inspired by, I try to smash together in all different ways to create the sound I want.” For Moa free the sound means “…To expose myself emotionally, share a joy and hopefully make a difference to something or someone.”
UK
25-year-old, Lui describes his own sound as “blended” – with inspiration taken from many different genres – although with a distinct R&B/soul vibe. “Free the sound to me feels like a movement. It goes beyond being able to take my speakers wherever I please, but more to do with freeing the artists and the people behind the music. There is definitely a major change happening in the creative industry right now and I like where it’s going.”
America
Infidelix is a familiar face on the Berlin street music scene. He uses music as a form of self-expression. To Infidelix, free the sound means portable sound – “Music is not just meant for an office, or for headphones. It is the soundtrack to my life and to be able to take it anywhere and play it as loud as I want is important to me.”
